Got a craving for hockey history? You're in the right place. We've rounded up the 10 best hockey books, from Hall of Famer memoirs to behind-the-scenes classics. Whether you're in Canada, the U.S., or anywhere else a puck drops, get ready to dive into some truly great reads about the game we love.
1. The Game — Ken Dryden (1983; 30th-anniversary ed. 2013)
Why it’s still #1: Dryden’s reflective season-in-the-life narrative is routinely called “the best hockey book ever written” and remains a sports-literature benchmark for its blend of locker-room candour and philosophical depth.
2. 99: Stories of the Game — Wayne Gretzky with Kirstie McLellan Day (2016)
Gretzky tours 99 years of NHL history through first-person anecdotes—ideal for readers who want both hockey lore and “Great One” autobiography in one volume.
3. Orr: My Story — Bobby Orr (2013)
Orr’s long-awaited memoir pairs on-ice brilliance with off-ice humility, offering lessons on resilience that appeal to players, parents and business readers alike.
4. Call Me Indian — Fred Sasakamoose (2021)
The first Treaty Indigenous NHL player tells a powerful story that bridges residential-school trauma and trail-blazing hockey success in a book now widely used in Canadian classrooms.
5. The Boys of Winter — Wayne Coffey (2005)
The definitive “Miracle on Ice” chronicle focuses on the 1980 U.S. team’s underdog journey and is perfect for fans of tournament drama and leadership under pressure.
6. The Game of Our Lives — Peter Gzowski (1981; reissued 2014)
A ringside seat to the rise of Gretzky’s youthful Oilers, this classic doubles as a love letter to early-’80s Canadian culture.
7. King of Russia — Dave King & Eric Duhatschek (2007)
Coaching icon Dave King’s diary of a season in the Russian Super League lifts the curtain on post-Soviet hockey politics and the making of stars like Evgeni Malkin.
8. Crossing the Line — Derek Sanderson with Kevin Shea (2012)
A wild ride through the Bruins’ 1970s glory—and Sanderson’s crash-and-redemption arc—that reads like a cautionary tale for today’s young pros.
9. Odd Man Rush — Bill Keenan (2016)
Part coming-of-age, part Euro-league travelogue, this memoir resonates with players chasing NHL dreams via unconventional paths.
10. Game Change — Ken Dryden (2017)
Dryden investigates CTE through Steve Montador’s tragic story and offers a blueprint to make the sport safer—required reading in today’s concussion debate.
FAQ: Best Hockey Books
Q1: What is the best hockey book of all time?
Most critics still cite Ken Dryden’s The Game for its blend of insider detail and literary craft.
Q2: What are the best hockey books for adults who love history?
Try 99: Stories of the Game for a century-spanning overview, or The Boys of Winter for Olympic drama.
Q3: Which hockey autobiographies dig into life lessons off the ice?
Bobby Orr’s My Story and Fred Sasakamoose’s Call Me Indian both move beyond box scores to talk character, community and reconciliation.
Q4: Is The Game still worth reading in 2025?
Yes, its commentary on team dynamics and athlete mental health feels strikingly current, even 40+ years later.
Final slapshot
These 10 titles capture hockey’s grit, glory and evolving culture. Pick one up, pour a strong Tim Hortons, and enjoy—your next great rink-side read awaits.
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